The U.S. Coast Guard has issued a $100,000 high quality to a Washington man who final yr deliberately pointed a laser into the wheelhouse of a Washington State Ferry Tokiate.

An investigation into the October 22, 2015 incident decided that Mark Raden of Freeland, WA was aboard the WSF Kitnap transiting between Mukilteo and Clinton when he pointed the high-powered blue laser into the pilot home of the ferry, inflicting accidents to the ferry grasp and chief mate.

Coast Guard officers at the moment are in search of cost of a $100,000 civil penalty for violation of a security and safety zone in addition to interference with the secure operation of the Tokitae whereas underway. The ultimate civil penalty quantity shall be decided by a Coast Guard Hearing Officer in Arlington, Virginia.

“Firing a laser at a vessel is extremely dangerous and directly interferes with the safe movement of commercial vessels and the Coast Guard’s ability to conduct search and rescue operations,” stated Captain Joe Raymond, Captain of the Port, Sector Puget Sound. “I encourage individuals who witness laser attacks on commercial vessels and Coast Guard small boats and aircraft to call 911.”

That Coast Guard says that along with laser strikes on Washington State Ferries, laser strikes involving Coast Guard helicopters and rescue boats in Puget Sound have continued to extend over the previous few years, which might hamper search and rescue and trigger damage.